German East African Askaris of the Wissmanntruppe, Schutztruppe and Polizeitruppe in the early 1890s
Figure 1 Askari Unteroffizier	Figure 2 Askari	Figure 3 Polizei-Askari	Figure 4 Askari Unteroffizier	Figure 5 Askari Unteroffizier

Uniform Evolution of the Wissmanntruppe, Schutztruppe and Polizeitruppe Askaris in the early 1890s
Soon after the initial formation of the Wissmanntruppe several changes were made to the uniforms of the askaris. Gradually the differences between the uniforms of Sudanese, Zulu and Swahili askaris began to disappear. The coloured naval style uniforms of the Zulus and Swahilis were abandoned as were the Sudanese turbans. The transition between uniforms was not however a smooth one, and mixtures of old and new uniforms along with variations of details on the new uniforms can often be seen in photographs of this period. The Wissmanntruppe were renamed the Schutztruppe for East Africa in 1891 and the following year the Polizeitruppe were formed. By the mid-1890s uniforms for askaris were standardised (See Schutztruppe Askaris and Polizeitruppe Askaris).

Khaki Uniform
Askaris of all nationalities now wore a khaki uniform based on that of the original Sudanese askaris in Anglo-Egyptian army. It had five a stand and fall collar, plain shoulder straps, plain cuffs, no pockets and five brass buttons fastening the front. Variations on the khaki tunic did still exist around this time, with some tunics having at least one breast pocket while some illustrations of the period show large yellow company numbers being worn on the upper left arm, although no photographic proof of this has so far been seen. Likewise the buttons of the Wissmanntruppe askaris were brass while later askari buttons were white metal. It is probable that both were worn during this transitional phase. 

Trousers were matching khaki and dark blue/grey puttees with brown leather boots introduced for all askaris. The Germans experimented with the suitability of askaris having bare feet, sandals and boots. They came to the conclusion that while they were uncomfortable for some soldiers, boots gave the best protection against parasites and were therefore usually insisted upon by their officers. Some photographs do however show askaris without footwear.

White Uniform
One short lived uniform introduced in about 1891 was the white askari parade uniform. It consisted of a white tunic with a small standing collar along the lower edge of which was band of braid in the imperial colours. The tunic had plain cuffs, no shoulder straps, no pockets and five buttons fastening the front. It was issued with matching white trousers and was probably not intended for use on active service.

Headdress
The red fez with a blue/black tassel was adopted by all askaris and a new style of headgear, the Tarbush was also issued. The tarbush eventually replaced the red fez on active service and was made of a peakless wicker frame with a khaki cloth cover and neckshade. The first tarbushes were worn without insignia, for a short time a loop of red lace was worn on the tarbush and later company numbers were displayed brass.
See further down the page for full information on the Evolution of Schutztruppe Askari Headdress in the 1890's

Rank Insignia
Askari NCOs wore one to four inverted chevrons to display their rank (see NCO Rank Insignia Page). East African askaris used Ottoman NCO titles, another tradition dating back to the previous service of many Sudanese askaris in the Anglo-Egyptian army. Their titles were- Ombasha/Gefrieter (with one stripe), Schausch/Unteroffizier (with two stripes), Bet-Schausch/Sergeant (with three stripes) and Sol/Feldwebel (with four stripes). From 1890 the chevrons were officially changed from blue to red, although it is possible that some NCOs retained their old insignia. These red chevrons were usually worn on the upper left arm, although little standardisation seems apparent in period photographs with some NCOs wearing their chevrons on the lower or right arms.

Equipment
Gradually the old single large ammunition box began to be replaced by the newer 1871 ammunition pouches (see Personal Equipment Page) which were carried either side of a plain brass belt buckle, again simialr to that of the Anglo-Egyptian army. Askaris would also have carried water bottles, bread bags and blankets.

Weapons
The askaris were armed with the single shot Mauser Jägerbüsche '71 rifle and the S71/84 bayonet. Bayonet knots were not worn by the askaris.

The Illustrations

Figure 1 is based on a photograph of a Sudanese Askari NCO taken in about 1891. He is dressed typically for askaris of this period in the khaki uniform with dark blue/grey puttees. His headgear is the red felt fez still worn when not in action after the introduction of the tarbush for active service, in fact the two are often seen worn side by side in photographs of groups of askaris. In 1890 blue NCO rank chevrons started to be replaced by red. The two chevrons worn here on the upper left arm denote the rank of "Schausch" (Unteroffizier, or Corporal- see NCO Rank Insignia Page). The chevrons in the original photograph appear to have vertical edges. Later chevrons usually had horizontal edges. From his second tunic button he has what looks like a watch chain but may more likely be a signalling whistle.

He is armed with an M79 Army Revolver (a 10.6mm weapon commonly issued to the early Schutztruppe with a distinctive long butt) tucked into a brown leather belt with a plain brass belt buckle (see below).

Figure 2 is based on a photograph of a Zulu Askari taken in about 1891. He wears the Sudanese style khaki uniform, now standard for all askaris with dark blue/grey puttees and brown leather boots. His headgear is the newly introduced Tarbush as described above. The first tarbushes were worn plain without any decoration but one short lived variation seen in contemporary photographs and illustrations shows the Tarbush worn with a loop of red cord on the khaki cover.

This askari wears a medal ribbon on his left breast. It is most likely the Kriegerverdienstmedaille, instituted for East African askaris in 1892. The first class award was a silver medal with the motto "KRIEGER VERDIENST" within a laurel wreath, on a black and white ribbon similar to that of the Iron Cross. The second class was similar but with a smaller medal. This askari wears only the ribbon of his award. 

The equipment worn here is a brown leather belt with an imperial belt buckle (see below). These belt buckles were usually only worn by German NCOs in the Schutztruppe, while askaris normally wore plain brass buckles. He is armed with a Jägerbüsche 71 rifle and the handle of his S71/84 bayonet (see below) can just be seen suspended from the left side of his belt.

Plain Brass Belt Buckle worn by Askaris in the Schutztruppe (See Belt Buckles Details Page) Photo © Doppler Collection

S71/84 Bayonet  from the East African Schutztruppe (See Bayonets Details Page) Photo © A British Collector

Imperial Belt Buckle usually worn by German NCOs in the Schutztruppe (See Belt Buckles Details Page) Photo © Doppler Collection

Figure 3 is based on a photograph of a Sudanese Askari in Police service taken in 1889. He wears the short-lived white parade uniform introduced in about 1890-91, as described above. He also wears matching white trousers, dark blue/grey puttees and brown leather boots. His headdress seems to be some from of loose turban. He is armed with a Jägerbüsche 71 rifle and his equipment consists of a single large box ammunition pouch suspended on a brown leather belt. 

Before the formation of the Polizeitruppe in German East Africa police duties were performed by members of the Wissmanntruppe or Schutztruppe. These police were usually identified as seen here by a red sash worn over the right shoulder.

Figure 4 is based on a photograph of a Zulu Askari NCO taken in about 1891. He wears a variation on the usual askari khaki tunic with a single patch pocket with a pointed flap on the left breast. 

Above the pocket he wears a medal, most likely the Kriegerverdienstmedaille. As described above it consisted of a black and white ribbon similar to that of the Iron Cross with a silver medal, in this case for a 1st class award. The second class was similar but with a smaller medal. Sudanese askaris (and their NCOs and officers) were also still entitled to wear medals earned in Anglo-Egyptian service prior to their enlistment in the Wissmanntruppe in 1889.

This NCO's rank chevrons are unusually worn on the lower right arm above a band in the imperial colours. This particular style of rank insignia has only been seen in this one photograph. It seems that NCO rank insignia was still not standardised between the different Schutztruppe companies at this point. From his second button of his tunic he has what looks like a watch chain but may again more likely be a signalling whistle.

His headgear is the red fez still worn when not in action after the introduction of the tarbush for active service.

He wears dark blue/grey puttees and brown leather boots. His equipment consists of a single large box ammunition pouch suspended on a brown leather belt. In his right hand he carries an NCOs baton or marching stick.

Figure 5 is based on a photograph of a Sudanese Askari NCO,  probably taken in the mid to late 1890's. This askari is typical of the appearance of Schutztruppe askaris once uniforms had standardised during the 1890's. He wears the khaki tunic and trousers, dark blue/grey puttees, and brown leather boots. The tarbush bears the company numeral in stylised brass letters (in this case the 12. Feldkompagnie based in Mahenge) which became the standard tarbush decoration in the mid-1890's.

His NCO rank insignia (again the two stripes of the "Schausch"- see NCO Rank Insignia Page) is worn in the manner standardised amongst askaris during the early 1890s. These red chevrons had horizontal edges and were worn on the upper left arm.

This NCO is armed with a Jagerbusche 71 rifle with bayonet and carries full marching equipment consisting of a brown leather backpack, folded blanket, bread bag and water bottle as was also issued to the regular German army of the period. The ammunition pouches are the 1871 design carried by most askaris until the First World War.

The Evolution of Schutztruppe Askari Headdress in the 1890's

Figure A Fez c1889-1918 Figure B Tarbush c1890-1918 Figure C Tarbush c1891 Figure D Tarbush c1891-1900 Figure E Tarbush c1896-1918

Figure A shows a red fez as worn by all askaris when not on active service and occasionally by some on active service. Similar fezzes had been traditionally worn throughout the Ottoman Empire and North and East Africa for centuries. It was first worn in German service by askaris of the German East African Company in the late 1880's and was still in use with Schutztruppe askaris throughout the First World War. The fez was made of red felt with a knotted tassel and no insignia. From photographic evidence these fezzes varied considerably in height, style and rigidity. The tassel likewise varied in length but was usually black or dark blue/black. When a second Zulu company was formed they were distinguished by the use of a white tassel. This distinction was short lived and has not been seen in photographs. Figure B shows the Tarbush, a peakless wicker frame with a khaki cloth cover and neckshade as originally worn without insignia. The tarbush was originally introduced for Sudanese askaris without insignia in about 1890-91. Later, even when the company numerals and imperial eagle badges had been introduced they were often not worn in action as they provided a good target for enemy marksmen. When the badges were removed they left two horizontally placed holes in the centre of the khaki cover where the badge pin had been. Figure C shows the tarbush worn with a loop of red cord on the khaki cover. This tarbush decoration appears to have been very short lived (around 1891). It has been suggested that different companies wore different colour cords though this has not been proven. Figure D shows the tarbush worn with a stylised brass company numeral on the khaki cover. These company numerals (in this case 7 for the 7. Feldkompagnie) were introduced for Schutztruppe askaris around 1891. Although they were officially replaced by the imperial eagle in 1896 some units still wore the company numerals as late as 1900. Some sources state that red or green cloth company numerals were also sometimes worn on the tarbush although as yet no photographic proof has come to light. Figure E shows the tarbush worn with a white metal eagle on the khaki cover. The imperial eagle badge was introduced in 1896 and gradually replaced the company numerals. A larger brass eagle was worn by the Polizeitruppe askaris. Askaris Preparing for an Expedition c1891-96 The white uniform with with three buttoned cuffs worn by the mounted German officer dates this photograph from 1891 onwards. This uniform was phased out from 1896. The askaris wear khaki uniforms with plain khaki tarbushes without company numbers or eagles. Some appear to be wearing white covers on their tarbushes. They carry full marching equipment some with blankets rolled over their shoulders. Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv Askaris in Bukoba c1890 They wear the khaki uniform and the tarbush with white covers. They are armed with carbines, possibly the Mauser Kar71. Rather than ammunition pouches they carry bandoliers of rounds around their waists and over the shoulder. They unit all appear to be bare footed. Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv Zulu Askaris of Ramsey's Company c1890 The askaris wear the khaki uniform. Some have the red fez, others the khaki tarbush with a loop of red lace. Some of the askaris carry the single large ammunition pouch. Several have Prussian medals for campaigns in the Wissmanntruppe. The German officer carrying a sword on the right is Leutnant Tom Prince (later Hauptmann von Prince, killed at the Battle of Tanga in 1914). Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv Askaris Preparing for an Expedition c1891-96 The white uniform with yellow metal crown buttons on the collar worn by the German officer dates this photograph from 1891 onwards. This uniform was phased out from 1896. The askaris wear khaki uniforms with plain tarbushes without company numbers or eagles. They carry full marching equipment with blankets rolled over their shoulders. Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv Sudanese Askaris of the 1. Feldkompagnie cMid 1890s They wear the khaki uniform and tarbush with the 1889 ammunition pouches. In front of the row of askaris is their African officer or Effendi. Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv Askaris of the 11. Feldkompagnie cMid 1890s They wear the khaki uniform with a khaki tarbush bearing their company number as a yellow metal badge on the front. They carry full marching equipment and 1889 ammunition pouches. Note the musician wearing swallows nest insignia on his shoulders in the centre. Photo by Becker © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv